The long term development plan for the Balaton region and the results of research carried out in the region are discussed. The rapid development of tourism and local agricultural and industrial progress has been too great for the infrastructural level and the environment. Demand, especially for weekend visits, needs to be directed towards other tourist regions. The location of accommodation needs to be more widespread; two-thirds is currently located at the eastern end of the Lake. Local financial incomes should have a greater role to play in changing these conditions as the legalizing of letting rooms will increase the income of local municipal councils by as much as 20%. Taxes paid by absentee owners will now be transferred to those councils under which the let property falls. The use of these new assets and how much is devoted to the development of tourism is yet to be estimated.